Discover the sights, sounds, and smells of South India on a 7-day guided tour from Kochi with accommodation provided. Take a tour of Kochi, Munnar, and Alleppey, visit national parks, admire Kerala's nature and wildlife, and sail and stay on a houseboat.
Day 1: Kochi to Munnar
After breakfast, embark on a guided tour of Kochi to discover the San Francisco Church, Chinese fishing nets, a Jewish synagogue, a Dutch palace, and more. After the tour, you will be driven to Munnar (4.5 hours), 1,800 feet above sea level, where you will check into your hotel.
Day 2: Munnar
After breakfast, enjoy a full guided tour of Munnar. Visit Eravikulam National Park, home to the endangered Nilgiri tahr, a mountain goat endemic to southern India. Admire the beautiful landscapes before visiting the Damptpatty Dam. Spend the night at the hotel.
Day 3: Munnar to Periyar
After breakfast, travel around 4 hours to visit Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the most important wildlife centers in India, home to tigers, elephants, rare lion-tailed macaques, sambar deer, leopards, and Indian bison. Spend the night in a hotel.
Day 4: Periyar
After breakfast at your hotel, explore Periyar by visiting the Wildlife Sanctuary in the morning. Take in boats at the temple, surrounded by hills. See a wide range of animals during your tour. Learn about vegetable juice in the afternoon. Overnight at a hotel.
Day 5: Periyar to Kumarakom
After breakfast, travel to Kumarakom (4.5 hrs) and check into your Kumarakom Hotel near Kottayam with its famous backyard and Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. Admire darters or snakebirds, little cormorants, night herons, woodpeckers, crows, pheasants, and more before spending the night at your hotel.
Day 6: Kumarakom to houseboat
After breakfast in the hotel, board a houseboat and set sail. See various scenes from the countryside, rice fields, fishing, and local life. Eat dinner, breakfast, and lunch on the boat. Stop for the night in a charming location.
Day 7: Houseboat to Alleppey to Kochi
After breakfast in the houseboat, visit Alleppey, known as East Venice because of its narrow canals and inland waters. Transfer to Kochi (2 hours), where you will be dropped off at Kochi airport to take a flight for your onward journey.